1
|
Walter JR, Barnhart KT, Koelper NC, Santoro NF, Zhang H, Thomas TR, Huang H, Harvie HS. Cost-effectiveness analysis of expectant vs active management for treatment of persistent pregnancies of unknown location. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024:S0002-9378(24)00471-X. [PMID: 38552817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent pregnancies of unknown location are defined by abnormally trending serum human chorionic gonadotropin with nondiagnostic ultrasound. There is no consensus on optimal management. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of 3 primary management strategies for persistent pregnancies of unknown location: (1) expectant management, (2) empirical 2-dose methotrexate, and (3) uterine evacuation followed by methotrexate, if indicated. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective economic evaluation performed concurrently with the Expectant versus Active Management for Treatment of Persistent Pregnancies of Unknown Location multicenter randomized trial that was conducted from July 2014 to June 2019. Participants were randomized 1:1:1 to expectant management, 2-dose methotrexate, or uterine evacuation. The analysis was from the healthcare sector perspective with a 6-week time horizon after randomization. Costs were expressed in 2018 US dollars. Effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life years and the rate of salpingectomy. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were generated. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the analysis. RESULTS Methotrexate had the lowest mean cost ($875), followed by expectant management ($1085) and uterine evacuation ($1902) (P=.001). Expectant management had the highest mean quality-adjusted life years (0.1043), followed by methotrexate (0.1031) and uterine evacuation (0.0992) (P=.0001). The salpingectomy rate was higher for expectant management than for methotrexate (9.4% vs 1.2%, respectively; P=.02) and for expectant management than for uterine evacuation (9.4% vs 8.1%, respectively; P=.04). Uterine evacuation, with the highest costs and the lowest quality-adjusted life years, was dominated by both expectant management and methotrexate. In the base case analysis, expectant management was not cost-effective compared with methotrexate at a willingness to pay of $150,000 per quality-adjusted life year given an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $175,083 per quality-adjusted life year gained (95% confidence interval, -$1,666,825 to $2,676,375). Threshold analysis demonstrated that methotrexate administration would have to cost $214 (an increase of $16 or 8%) to favor expectant management. Moreover, expectant management would be favorable in lower-risk patient populations with rates of laparoscopic surgical management for ectopic pregnancy not exceeding 4% of pregnancies of unknown location. Based on the cost-effectiveness acceptability curves, the probability of expectant management being cost-effective compared with methotrexate at a willingness to pay of $150,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained was 50%. The results were dependent on the cost of surgical intervention and the expected rate of methotrexate failure. CONCLUSION The management of pregnancies of unknown location with a 2-dose methotrexate protocol may be cost-effective compared with expectant management and uterine evacuation. Although uterine evacuation was dominated, expectant management vs methotrexate results were sensitive to modest changes in treatment costs of both methotrexate and surgical management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Walter
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
| | - Kurt T Barnhart
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Nathanael C Koelper
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Nanette F Santoro
- Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Heping Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Tracey R Thomas
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Heidi S Harvie
- Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Larraín D, Caradeux J. β-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Dynamics in Early Gestational Events: A Practical and Updated Reappraisal. Obstet Gynecol Int 2024; 2024:8351132. [PMID: 38486788 PMCID: PMC10940029 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8351132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, the widespread use of transvaginal ultrasound and the availability of highly specific serum assays of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) have become mainstays in the evaluation of early pregnancy. These tests have revolutionized the management of pregnancies of unknown location and markedly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with the misdiagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. However, despite several advances, their misuse and misinterpretations are still common, leading to an increased use of healthcare resources, patient misinformation, and anxiety. This narrative review aims to succinctly summarize the β-hCG dynamics in early gestation and provide general gynecologists a practical approach to patients with first-trimester symptomatic pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Demetrio Larraín
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clínica Santa María, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javier Caradeux
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clínica Santa María, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Elshamy E, Zakaria Y, Alajami F, Fathy M. Expectant management versus systemic methotrexate in the management of persistent pregnancy of unknown location, a seven-year retrospective analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:1035-1041. [PMID: 38194091 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07332-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare Expectant management to systemic methotrexate in the management of persistent pregnancy of unknown location with beta-hCG levels below the discrimination zone. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 71 women with persistent pregnancy of unknown location. They were divided into two groups according to the applied management; Group 1, (n = 40) who were managed expectantly and Group 2 (n = 31) who were given a single dose of methotrexate. Data variables were collected and analyzed to evaluate whether expectant management was as effective as methotrexate. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age, parity, gestational age, body mass index and day seven beta-hCG. Success rates were (32 patients (80%) and 28 patients (90.3%) in expectant management and methotrexate groups, respectively (P > 0.05). The mean values for day zero and day four beta-hCG were significantly higher and the mean duration for complete recovery was statistically shorter in the methotrexate group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding prior ectopic, percentage of beta-hCG level drop on day four and day seven, success rate, occurrence of sequelae and patient satisfaction that area under the curve (AUC) for group 1 (expectant management) is 0.566 at 95% Confidence Interval of (0.388: 0.745). CONCLUSION Expectant management is an effective and safe alternative to single-dose methotrexate for persistent PUL with beta-hCG levels below the discrimination zone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elsayed Elshamy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom, Egypt.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdul-Aziz Airbase Hospital, 041/9 Prince Sattam Street, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Yahya Zakaria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdul-Aziz Airbase Hospital, 041/9 Prince Sattam Street, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Faiyum, Egypt
| | - Feryal Alajami
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdul-Aziz Airbase Hospital, 041/9 Prince Sattam Street, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud Fathy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdul-Aziz Airbase Hospital, 041/9 Prince Sattam Street, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barnhart KT, Hansen KR, Stephenson MD, Usadi R, Steiner AZ, Cedars MI, Jungheim ES, Hoeger KM, Krawetz SA, Mills B, Alston M, Coutifaris C, Senapati S, Sonalkar S, Diamond MP, Wild RA, Rosen M, Sammel MD, Santoro N, Eisenberg E, Huang H, Zhang H. Effect of an Active vs Expectant Management Strategy on Successful Resolution of Pregnancy Among Patients With a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location: The ACT or NOT Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2021; 326:390-400. [PMID: 34342619 PMCID: PMC8335579 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.10767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Women with an early nonviable pregnancy of unknown location are at high risk of ectopic pregnancy and its inherent morbidity and mortality. Successful and timely resolution of the gestation, while minimizing unscheduled interventions, are important priorities. OBJECTIVE To determine if active management is more effective in achieving pregnancy resolution than expectant management and whether the use of empirical methotrexate is noninferior to uterine evacuation followed by methotrexate if needed. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This multicenter randomized clinical trial recruited 255 hemodynamically stable women with a diagnosed persisting pregnancy of unknown location between July 25, 2014, and June 4, 2019, in 12 medical centers in the United States (final follow up, August 19, 2019). INTERVENTIONS Eligible patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to expectant management (n = 86), active management with uterine evacuation followed by methotrexate if needed (n = 87), or active management with empirical methotrexate using a 2-dose protocol (n = 82). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was successful resolution of the pregnancy without change from initial strategy. The primary hypothesis tested for superiority of the active groups combined vs expectant management, and a secondary hypothesis tested for noninferiority of empirical methotrexate compared with uterine evacuation with methotrexate as needed using a noninferiority margin of -12%. RESULTS Among 255 patients who were randomized (median age, 31 years; interquartile range, 27-36 years), 253 (99.2%) completed the trial. Ninety-nine patients (39%) declined their randomized allocation (26.7% declined expectant management, 48.3% declined uterine evacuation, and 41.5% declined empirical methotrexate) and crossed over to a different group. Compared with patients randomized to receive expectant management (n = 86), women randomized to receive active management (n = 169) were significantly more likely to experience successful pregnancy resolution without change in their initial management strategy (51.5% vs 36.0%; difference, 15.4% [95% CI, 2.8% to 28.1%]; rate ratio, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.04 to 1.96]). Among active management strategies, empirical methotrexate was noninferior to uterine evacuation followed by methotrexate if needed with regard to successful pregnancy resolution without change in management strategy (54.9% vs 48.3%; difference, 6.6% [1-sided 97.5% CI, -8.4% to ∞]). The most common adverse event was vaginal bleeding for all of the 3 management groups (44.2%-52.9%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with a persisting pregnancy of unknown location, patients randomized to receive active management, compared with those randomized to receive expectant management, more frequently achieved successful pregnancy resolution without change from the initial management strategy. The substantial crossover between groups should be considered when interpreting the results. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02152696.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt T Barnhart
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Karl R Hansen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
| | - Mary D Stephenson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Rebecca Usadi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Anne Z Steiner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Marcelle I Cedars
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California at San Francisco
| | - Emily S Jungheim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kathleen M Hoeger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Stephen A Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Benjie Mills
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Prisma Health, University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville
| | - Meredith Alston
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado and Denver Health Medical Center, Denver
| | - Christos Coutifaris
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Suneeta Senapati
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarita Sonalkar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael P Diamond
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Robert A Wild
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
| | - Mitchell Rosen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California at San Francisco
| | - Mary D Sammel
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora
| | - Nanette Santoro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver
| | - Esther Eisenberg
- Fertility and Infertility Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Heping Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lentscher JA, Colburn ZT, Ortogero N, Gillette L, Leonard GT, Burney RO, Chow GE. An intrauterine genomic classifier reliably delineates the location of nonviable pregnancies. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:138-146. [PMID: 33771330 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the intrauterine gene expression signatures of women with surgically confirmed ectopic pregnancy (ECT) and those of women with miscarriage to inform the development of a genomic classifier for the reliable delineation of pregnancy location in women with clinically nonviable pregnancies of unknown location (NV-PULs). DESIGN Discovery-based prospective cohort study. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENT(S) Women with clinically nonviable early pregnancy to include abnormal intrauterine pregnancy (AIUP), ECT, or NV-PUL. INTERVENTION(S) Endometrial (EM) pipelle sampling of the uterus was conducted at the time of scheduled surgery for clinically nonviable early pregnancy (dilation and curettage, manual vacuum aspiration, or laparoscopy). All pregnancy locations were surgically and/or histologically confirmed as intrauterine or ectopic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Gene expression profiles as determined by array hybridization, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and nCounter technology. RESULT(S) Intrauterine samples were obtained by EM pipelle from 27 women undergoing surgery for a clinically nonviable early pregnancy. Comparison of array-based global gene expression signatures from women with histologically confirmed ECT versus AIUP revealed 61 differentially expressed genes from which the 5 most informative were included in the pregnancy location classifier. All 5 genes (C20orf85, LRRC46, RSPH4A, WDR49, and ZBBX) were cilia-associated and showed increased expression in pipelle samples from women with ECT relative to expression in samples from women with AIUP. The 5-gene classifier demonstrated an average area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.97 for the detection of ECT. In an external test set composed of publicly available EM pipelle-based gene expression data from a study with similar ECT and AIUP cohorts (n = 19), the classifier revealed an average area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.84. CONCLUSION(S) Consistently increased expression of cilia-associated genes in the uterine cavity of women with ECT provides a reliable molecular signal for the delineation of pregnancy location in women with clinically assessed NV-PUL. A classifier consisting of the 5 most informative cilia-associated genes demonstrated 91% (42/46) accuracy in predicting the pregnancy location.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Lentscher
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington.
| | - Zachary T Colburn
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington
| | - Nicole Ortogero
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington
| | - Laurel Gillette
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington
| | - George T Leonard
- Department of Pathology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington
| | - Richard O Burney
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington; Department of Clinical Investigation, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington
| | - Gregory E Chow
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Barnhart KT, Sammel MD, Stephenson M, Robins J, Hansen KR, Youssef WA, Santoro N, Eisenberg E, Zhang H. Optimal treatment for women with a persisting pregnancy of unknown location, a randomized controlled trial: The ACT-or-NOT trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2018; 73:145-151. [PMID: 30243810 PMCID: PMC6231403 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is not a diagnosis but a transient state used to classify a woman when she has a positive pregnancy test without definitive evidence of an intra-uterine or extra-uterine pregnancy on transvaginal ultrasonography. Management of a persisting PUL varies substantially, including expectant or active management. Active management can include uterine cavity evacuation or systemic administration of methotrexate. To date, no consensus has been reached on whether either management strategy is superior or non-inferior to the other. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Academic medical centers. PATIENTS We plan to randomize 276 persisting PUL-diagnosed women who are 18 years or older from Reproductive Medicine Network clinics and additional interested sites, all patients will be followed for 2 years for fertility and patient satisfaction outcomes. INTERVENTIONS Randomization will be 1:1:1 ratio between expectant management, uterine evacuation and empiric use of methotrexate. After randomization to initial management plan, all patients will be followed by their clinicians until resolution of the PUL. The clinician will determine whether there is a change in management, based on clinical symptoms, and/or serial human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations and/or additional ultrasonography. MAIN OUTCOME The primary outcome measure in each of the 3 treatment arms is the uneventful clinical resolution of a persistent PUL without change from the initial management strategy. Secondary outcome measures include: number of ruptured ectopic pregnancies, number and type of re-interventions (additional methotrexate injections or surgical procedures), treatment complications, adverse events, number of visits, time to resolution, patient satisfaction, and future fertility. CONCLUSION This multicenter randomized controlled trial will provide guidance for evidence-based management for women who have persisting pregnancy of unknown location.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Female
- Humans
- Pregnancy
- Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal/therapeutic use
- Abortion, Spontaneous/blood
- Abortion, Spontaneous/diagnosis
- Abortion, Spontaneous/diagnostic imaging
- Abortion, Spontaneous/therapy
- Chorionic Gonadotropin/blood
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Dilatation and Curettage
- Methotrexate/therapeutic use
- Pregnancy, Ectopic/blood
- Pregnancy, Ectopic/diagnosis
- Pregnancy, Ectopic/diagnostic imaging
- Pregnancy, Ectopic/therapy
- Ultrasonography
- Watchful Waiting
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- Multicenter Studies as Topic
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt T Barnhart
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | - Mary D Sammel
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mary Stephenson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jared Robins
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Karl R Hansen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Wahid A Youssef
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nanette Santoro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver, United States
| | - Esther Eisenberg
- Reproductive Sciences Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Heping Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Quaas AM. Local privileges not universal rights: geographic variations in the science and clinical practice of reproductive medicine. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:1559-1563. [PMID: 29974368 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1249-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on personal experience in the science and clinical practice of reproductive medicine in different settings, enormous variations are highlighted, demonstrating that freedom of research and clinical practice in reproductive medicine is a local privilege, not a universal right.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Quaas
- University Hospital, Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Gynecologic Endocrinology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. .,Gyn. Endokrinologie (RME), Vogesenstrasse 134, 4031, Basel, Switzerland. .,Reproductive Partners San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA. .,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|